Sunday, June 2, 2013

Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health Portal FAQ #Coronavirus #MERS

[This will be located on the right side-bar for future reference]Last Update: 01 June 2013

What is novel Coronavirus?Coronaviruses
constitute a big family including viruses that can cause colds, and in
some cases can cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Most
cases of infections with this virus are simple. Its most common symptoms
are high temperature, body aches, sore throat, running nose and cough.
These symptoms last for days and then disappear. However, Coronavirus,
which has appeared recently, is a new virus that we do not yet know a
lot about its characteristics and ways of its transmission. The Ministry
of Health (MOH) is working alongside with the World Health Organization
(WHO) to learn more about it.

What is the incubation period for the novel Coronavirus?The
incubation period for Coronavirus is still unknown, but the incubation
period of the known patterns of Corona is approximately a week, and we
think it's mostly the same.

There are sayings that those detected cases are types of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). What is true?Novel
Coronavirus varies clearly in terms of its genetic aspect than the
virus causing (SARS). Examinations of infected cases currently being
followed up and a smoother image will be given after completing.

What are the symptoms of infection with Corona?According
to the discovered cases, the symptoms include acute and severe
respiratory symptoms, accompanied by fever, cough, suffocation and
difficulty in respiration.

How are persons infected with Coronavirus?According
to the limited information which is available so far, there is no yet
accurate scientific evidence identifying the way through which the virus
can be transmitted from one person to another. But, there are sayings
that it's similar to the other kinds of Coronavirus. The Ministry of
Health (MOH) is seeking with its partners in the international
organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) to learn
more about ways of transmission, including through animals. The ways,
through which the other kinds of Coronavirus can be transmitted from one
person to another, include the following:

Direct transmission through droplets expelled during coughs and sneezes.

Indirect transmission through touching surfaces and devices
contaminated with the virus, and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

Direct contact with patients.

To what extent does the novel Coronavirus spread in the Kingdom?MOH
is harnessing all its potential and expertise in this disease
surveillance, and to recognize the ways of its transmission and
protection from it, as well as providing the integrated health care for
the injured cases. MOH has been working alongside with WHO and a number
of global specialized medical centers; to learn more about the disease.
The number of cases infected with this virus in the kingdom from the
month of Shawwal 1433H (September 2012) and up till now reached 38
cases, 24 cases of them are dead, May Allah forgive them.

How are the newly infected cases diagnosed?The
World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a temporary definition for
the cases infected with the virus to help people working in the medical
field to diagnose new cases of patients. This definition will be updated
when more information becomes available. The current definition
includes some criteria for the diagnosis of patients, manifested in the
examination of the patient, possibility of being infected with the
Coronavirus, and confirmation of his infection. These criteria are based
on Clinical and epidemiological and laboratory information.

What are the ways of protection against the Coronavirus?We
don't know a lot about the characteristics and ways of transmission of
Coronavirus so far, but the Ministry of Health is coordinating with the
World Health Organization (WHO) as well as a number of international
experts to learn more about it. The Ministry of Health recommends
citizens and residents generally to abide by the following health
guidelines to reduce the spread of flu and infectious respiratory
diseases until we know the ways of the virus transmission:

Wash your hands well and continually with water and soap or with
other disinfectants used for hand washing, especially after coughing,
sneezing and using toilets. Also, don't forget to wash your hands before
and after handling with or preparing foods.

Use handkerchief when coughing or sneezing and cover your mouth and
nose with it, then get rid of the handkerchief in a waste basket. If
there are no handkerchiefs, it is preferred to cough or sneeze in the
top of your arm, not in the hands.

Try as much as possible to avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth
with your hand, because it can transmit the virus after touching
surfaces contaminated with the virus.

Wear gags in the overcrowded places during Hajj or Umrah.

Keep performing the other hygienic habits such as balance diet, and physical activity, and sleep well.

Maintain hygiene.

Avoid as much as possible contacting with infected people. Also,
don't forget to consult your doctor when necessary, and follow up the
new information provided about the disease by the Ministry of Health.

Is there a vaccine for the novel Coronavirus?There is no vaccine currently available worldwide.

Has WHO recommended any travel or trade restrictions related to this new virus? WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions are applied with respect to this event so far.

What is the reason for the recent increase of Coronavirus mortality?Till
now, it is not certain whether the Coronavirus infection causes higher
mortality than other viruses. It has been observed most of the persons
who have died so far have been older men, or people with chronic
diseases affecting the immune system, which, in turn, increases the
potentiality of developing acute complications, leading to death. The
same happens also with seasonal influenza. There might be several
infections of the virus, but mild infections with symptoms limited to
those of a running cold, after which all such symptoms are cured
altogether, without need for referral to a hospital or health facility.
That's why such infections remain undiscovered.

It is claimed that the dialysis device in al-Ahsa Region is the source of infection. To what extent are such claims true?The
Ministry of Health has been working on strict investigations in al-Ahsa
Region, in cooperation with WHO experts, and came up with the result
that the dialysis device has nothing to do with the infection
transmission.

Are there any researches currently conducted to identify the features of the virus?It
goes without saying that the features of Coronavirus are still unknown.
However, since the emergence of the virus, the Ministry of Health (MOH)
has worked hand in hand with many international organizations,
including the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as a number of
international centers specialized in the study and surveillance of the
virus, with the aim of getting familiar with the virus's genes,
components, features, ways of infection transmission and symptoms. Once
such studies are done, scientists will be able to give a clearer image
of this virus.

Have high-quality laboratories been provided for studying the novel virus? and What
is the purpose for accumulating samples and tests at referential
laboratories in cases of the outbreak of novel and emergent diseases?MOH
has its regional referential laboratories throughout the Kingdom's
regions, in addition to integrated laboratories at all
hospitals disseminated in all regions, including the eastern one.With
regard to the current referential laboratory, as it is globally
followed, in case of detecting new diseases, Lab tests are focused in
one referential laboratory at the national level; in order to ensure the
accumulation of experiences among workers and to prevent the occurrence
of any inaccurate results, compiling to what is globally followed.
Jeddah Governorate has been selected as the national headquarter;
because of its vicinity to the Two Holy Mosques, knowing that the
equipment and capabilities of this type of laboratories are available,
Allah be praised, and they are to be added when necessary.

What is the awareness role to be assumed by the MOH towards the updates of the novel Coronavirus?Many
of the virus's features and ways of transmission are completely
unidentified so far. Let along the fact that the detected cases are
still limited. Proceeding from this ground, the Ministry has spread
health awareness among the targeted public through press and health
releases, according to the available information. In addition, the
Ministry sought to communicate with the public through social networks,
especially Twitter and Facebook, as well as the MOH Portal (www.moh.gov.sa
). Such efforts have been further enhanced by the Median Information
and Health Awareness System, through the toll-free number: 8002494444.
That's to be added to the press conferences to which mass media (press,
channels and websites) have been invited. The Ministry of Health will
continue to provide and intensify health awareness by harnessing ally
means and channels, in accordance with the updates on the ground,
inspired by the health awareness norms and experiences embraced in such
cases.

What are the procedures taken against suspects?The
Ministry of Health applies the recommendations put forth by competent
international organizations, such as WHO, in examining those in contact
with patients. Patients, those in contact with them, as well as health
practitioners dealing with patients are examined under certain criteria.
The Ministry is committed, also, to make known of all confirmed cases,
within the framework of transparency adopted by the Ministry in dealing
with media. The Ministry informs all citizens and residents of the
updates and developments of the novel virus, through the MOH press
releases.

Why are most cases centered in al-Ahsa Region?Since
its emergence, Coronavirus cases have been detected in a number of
regions: Al-Ahsa, Dammam, Riyadh, Al-Qassim and Bisha up to date.
Underway is a survey to identify the reasons why most cases are centered
in al-Ahsa Region.

Is there a medication available for this disease?There
is no available vaccine or a qualitative medication available for this
disease so far, however, patients take a supportive medication to deal
with the complications and alleviate their impacts, till the patient
exceeds the danger stage.

Why does the Kingdom record the highest rate of infection with novel Coronavirus?The
discovery of the novel Coronavirus in the Kingdom doesn't mean that it
doesn't exist in the other countries. It is worth mentioning that
Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Britain have recoded cases
infected with this virus. This may be attributed to the application of
an advanced surveillance program for this disease by the Ministry of
Health, in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), a
number of specialized medical centers, and international experts in this
field.